$650 to $1200 for mini choppers similar to the ones Graucho built. China sure is great, eh? I'd rather build a NuVinci Trek or something... but those prices are extremely tempting. Surely they cut corners on quality, but I'm a sucker for the right price.

Those choppers are "street legal" as a motorcycle, they are not motorized bicycles.
I own a Lifan LF110GY-3http://www.cwpowersports.com/LF110GY-3.html
It is a copy of a Honda Trail Cub. It is street legal, but requires a motorcycle license, registration and insurance. And yes, China sure is great. 100mpg, 50 mph cruising, electric start, and not a drop of oil leaked. All for less than $800 with tax, destination, etc. (yes, I know the website is more. I bought from a local dealer)

I'm definitely not getting one because I'm not paying for registration, insurance, etc. But it's just crazy to me how inexpensive these bikes are. I'm sure Graucho put quite a bit of time & prolly a good bit more than ~$700 total into his mini choppers.

I'm highly considering moving to New York, and this could be my cheapest route of using a motorized bike since NY is the only state that has specifically stated motorized bicycles are illegal.

"These devices are not allowed on any street, highway, parking lot, sidewalk or other area that allows public motor vehicle traffic. You are subject to arrest if you operate one of these motorized vehicles and do not have a registration, driver license, inspection, insurance or correct equipment. The DMV can not provide any information about operation of these devices on private property. Contact the local authorities and property owners."

I actually approve of the text marketing that Google does. Google gives me ads that I want when I want them... and it only takes me a second to grasp the concept of the ad. I block all other flashy web banners, TV commercials, etc., but Google is definitely up there with word of mouth.

Hey guys. I ve been building mini's for 10 years. Way before they were popular.
The cheap china bikes are not safe for the road. They are very small and hard for cars to see. They are fun to go out for a ride though. Id consider them an adult toy. If you build them yourself, thats another story. But there still not safe in heavy traffic.
I fell in love with them long ago. I built a few full size choppers in my youth. They take months to build. But I can pump out a mini in 3 weeks with a cost of 1,200 and the turn it for a great profit. Im only into experimental bikes now, and of course MB's. No more mini builds to sell.

If you want to see the chineese brands in action go to youtube and type in mini chopper.

no pedals, not a motoredbike, i suppose the chopper things have there place? pit bikes & such? i love grouchos bikes can ya ride one & not get a ticket? are they registerd as motorcycles? whats the dealio?

the street legality of the mini choppers depends on what state you're in... I could register that in MA as a moped (MA sees mopeds and scooters as the same thing pedals or not) I like the fact that it has lights. I wonder what the size comparison is to a 70's puch moped?

We're all hard for motorists to see, bike, motored bike, or min chopper we are simply not as visible as another car, truck or SUV...

Yea I was gonna say the bikes advertised in this thread is nothing like Graucho's just by looking at the specs.
It says 12 inch front wheel. 10 inch back wheel.
That's smaller than a kiddie bike with 16 inch wheels!!

Some street legal scooters run 10 inch tires. My street legal Trail Cub has 10 inch Michelins - rated for a whopping 62 mph. The bike itself may hit 60 down a hill, but it will hum along nicely at 50mph all day. (110cc 4 stroke)

That "mini chopper" is a toy. It is powered by a 2 cycle 49cc Mitsubishi clone engine. I believe that the choppers the original poster is referring to are powered by 50 or 110cc four stroke engines with 4 speed manual transmissions.